Bill Is Socially Distant From His Son

Bill Bailey has to stay socially distant from his son during his time on Strictly.

Bill and his wife have formed a support bubble with Oti, but Bill's teenage son is attending school, and therefore poses an exposure risk. While they remain in the same household, they must observe social distancing.

The Huffington Post reports that Bill told The Times: “[My wife] Kristin won’t be able to go out and we can’t be near our son, Dax, because of his potential exposure at school. When he comes home he’ll eat separately from us. He thinks it’s hilarious. If I make any progress beyond the first round, then there’s a fair chance he’ll go feral.”

It's just another example of the compromises all this year's participants are making to ensure the safe success of the show this year.

I don't think anyone should lose sight of that. There have been reports of some participants receiving negative comments on social media. In the spirit and memory of Caroline Flack, I think it's more important than ever that we #BeKind to those who are giving up so much for our entertainment.

Sunday Service: Week 1

It's finally here! It's been a long year, and a late start for our favourite show, but finally Strictly is here.

Jamie & Karen were up first with a cha cha. I was so excited that Eurovision favourite Think About Things was in this week's show (if you haven't seen the Strictly version of the iconic video, check it out here). Unfortunately, Jamie's dancing didn't live up to the song. His timing was off at the beginning, although it did improve as soon as he came together with Karen. The New Yorkers and spin turn at the beginning were decent. Some parts were OK, his arms were a bit wayward in places. The 'freestyle' parts looked the most comfortable. I think he has a lot to work on.

Caroline & Johannes' American smooth was very classy. Beautiful lines, light and elegant. I loved Caroline's emotion. That's how dancing should make you feel. I want to see Caroline work on her footwork. There weren't enough heel leads on the forward steps, which is probably because she's used to ballet where everything is on the toes.

Max & Dianne did well for week 1. I wasn't that excited about the song choice for a tango, but they made it work. Despite all the talk about his frame in the VT, Max's top line still needs work. He needs to pull his shoulders back further. However, his timing was good. He has a lot of potential.

Clara & Aljaž's cha cha was very assured and comfortable. Decent technique, good timing. I'm excited to watch Clara progress through the competition as she grows in confidence. A strong start.

Performing the foxtrot in week 1 is quite a challenge. It's a very technical dance. Jacqui at least had the safety of dancing with Anton. She was better than she looked in the launch show, but there were a lot of issues here. Her footwork was weak. I have never seen a heel turn executed so badly. I didn't like the top hats and canes section, as it made it feel like American smooth. It didn't glide at all. I am already cringing at the thought of this pair doing latin.

JJ & Amy's waltz was calm and relaxed. Very sweet. His top line was decent, although his shoulders could have been further back. I think he has a lot of potential, certainly in the ballroom.

Maisie & Gorka's samba was on point. It was incredible. Her lines were gorgeous. Brilliant leg action and placement. Lots of classic samba steps, samba rolls, natural rolls, voltas, botofogos, all amazing. A very strong start. In a normal series, it might be a disadvantage as the audience tires of a strong couple, but in this short series I don't think it will matter.

Jason & Luba's American smooth was sweet. I liked the 1950s theme, and Jason aced those moves. Like Craig, I wish the routine had included more foxtrot content to really get to see more of Jason's potential, but the routine showed off his personality. Lots of facial expressions in there. The lifts were comfortable. I can't wait to see him do something straighter.

The paso is a tough dance to get in week 1. I loved how Ranvir was out there at the start of the number, and Giovanni kept her front and centre throughout the routine. She owned the floor - I never expected that level of confidence from her. There's lots to work on for sure, but a good start. I loved how surprised Giovanni was with the scores.

If the paso if a tough dance for week 1, the quickstep could be tougher. Nicola looked good, but seemed to struggle with the timing on some of the longer phrases - they didn't always move up and down as one. Katya's choreography was great. I can't wait to see what else she comes up with.

Bill & Oti's cha cha was heaps of fun. I smiled while watching it. Bill's timing is excellent, as you'd expect from a musician. Some of his technique was interesting, but his energy was impeccable. He's a joy to watch.

Harvey & Janette's jive was high energy, and he kept the energy throughout. He looked at ease. Great timing. There wasn't much to find fault with. I'd like to see him perform outwards a little more. The first half of the dance, he seemed to be looking to Janette too much - he needs to balance performing to his partner with performing to the audience. The second half of the routine, he seemed to nail that a bit better. Maybe it was just nerves, and he improved as he got into it.

It was a strong first week, and aside from the weird, dystopian, clear-fronted face coverings the the audience members were wearing, it felt like the same Strictly as always.

It's really hard to choose favourites at this point, as I liked so many of them for different reasons. Yes, Maisie and Harvey were the best dancers, but I loved Bill, Caroline, Clara and Nicola.

The weakest were probably Jamie and Jacqui, but all that could change with next week's routines.

Strictly is back, baby!

Strictly 2020: The Pairings

Before I get into how I think the couples will get on, I just have to talk about what a brilliant job the production team have done so far. While this will certainly be a unique series of Strictly, they have done as much as they can to maintain the magic. And it's what we all need right now.

Having the dancers quarantine and form a household to record the pro numbers was a brilliant idea, and if the numbers are half as good as those in the launch show, we are in for a treat. We have to appreciate that the pros and crew gave up time with their families to make that happen, and I for one am so glad they did.

I love the new distanced judges' desks. I want one for working from home!

I also really liked the couple reveals. This is how they used to do the pairings, and I like the dynamic. It felt more intimate and relaxed. Now on to those pairings...

Caroline & Johannes

I love this pairing. The nation fell in love with Johannes last year, and Caroline is sweet and funny. They are so well matched. I think they'll do well, because people will enjoy their partnership. While she didn't look the strongest in last night's group number, I can see her growing as she grows in experience.

Clara & Aljaž

Clara comes across so well, big smiles and bags of fun. I think she and Aljaž are a good match. He is well liked, so I think they could do quite well. She looked confident in the group number.

Ranvir & Giovanni

Ranvir said that she had been asking her Good Morning Britain colleagues for advice. Oh dear. The GMB squad doesn't have the best record on Strictly. And I'm sorry to say that, based on last night's group dance, she'll be following a similar path. She's clearly out of her comfort zone, so I think she's going to have to work hard if she wants to progress.

Harvey & Janette (aka HRVY & JNTT)

Watching the VT, I was already finding Harvey annoying. "H R V Y". Yes, yes, we get it. You're an edgy YouTuber. Whatever. Therefore I really wanted him to be a terrible dancer. Unfortunately, he looked like one of the strongest. He looked like he was leading Janette, and looked at ease on the floor. He could be a contender.

Jason & Luba

I feel like I am one of the few people who knows who Jason is. I'm excited that Luba has been paired with someone who appears to have a bit of dance ability. He's not as naturally gifted as Harvey, but with a bit of work, he could do well. I think he'll probably make mid-series. Americans have not fared that well on Strictly over the years, so I think he's probably looking at mid-series for an exit.

Jamie & Karen

Jamie didn't get to rejoin Oti, but has been pared with Karen. Looking at the group dance, Jamie is definitely at the weaker end. Karen is a fan favourite, but I'm not sure it will be enough. He could be back in Chelsea pretty quickly.

Nicola & Katya

I've liked Nicola since 2012. She always comes across as warm and friendly, and she is blessed with a smile which could light up Blackpool. She's a serial TikTocker, and has a very relaxed and earthy dance style. I cannot wait to see the routines Katya comes up with. She's one of the most imaginative choreographers on the show - who can forget her lean back move with Joe or that Matrix move with Seann? The same-sex pairing will give her something new to play with. I can imagine lead swapping and gender f*ckery in a way we have never seen before. They looked sharp in the group number, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead.

Jacqui & Anton

This pairing was inevitable. And I don't really see it going anywhere. Definitely candidates for an early exit. Jacqui looked the weakest in the group number. Expect her hanging on for dear life during pivots, and the return of Anton's signature 'chuck & slide'.

Maisie & Gorka

Maisie is definitely the ringer of 2020. She's already a Strictly CIN champion. And she brought it in the group number. Confidence, obvious ability and hair that she can toss for days, plus the EastEnders audience who always vote in droves. I will be very shocked if she is not in the final.

JJ & Amy

Our Celtic couple are cute but, dare I say it, might be a bit dull. Two kids-next-door together don't really excite me, and JJ looked a bit awkward on the floor. He doesn't have a lot of natural ability. He's relatively unknown, so is going to have to work hard to get the public on side. But he's a military man, so is not afraid of hard work and being told what to do. I think if Amy can channel her drill instructor side, which we all know she has, they might be able to pull it out of the bag.

Bill & Oti

Bill looked pretty good in the group number. He has rhythm and ability, so if Oti drills him on technique, he could do pretty well. I think the public will enjoy their partnership.

Max and Dianne

Max looked good in the group number. Quirky Dianne will hopefully be able to find a zany side to Max for dances like the Charleston, but I think he'll be a whizz at the more serious numbers. Brooding.

This is looking like an incredibly strong series. The fact that the pros will live away from their families for the duration will likely mean they are more focused than ever. They are sacrificing a lot just to be a part of the show. I cannot wait for next Saturday! Let's do this!

Free FitSteps Classes

As the country faces tougher Covid restrictions, and many will find their fitness and dance classes cancelled, I wanted to highlight a little gem which has been running since lockdown began back in March.

Many people will be aware of FitSteps, the fitness programme set up by former pros Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe with former Strictly participant Mark Foster.

What you might not know is that Ian Waite has been running free FitSteps classes every Tuesday and Thursday on Instagram and Facebook.

A lot of the pros did excellent work to keep people entertained during lockdown - Oti and Karen's Home Festival of Fun being the best example - but most stopped in June when restrictions were eased.

Ian, however, decided to continue. Many FitSteps instructors have been unable to re-start their classes, and Ian has been there to keep everyone going. I have never been to a FitSteps class personally, as there has never been one convenient for me to get to. I have dabbled with the classes on DVD before. But there is something comforting about attending a virtual class. I love the live element. You can see other names popping up in the chat, so it kind of feels like seeing people you know. I used to walk a lot in the morning to get to work, but working from home has meant I have had to consciously build exercise into my routine.

I prefer to watch on Instagram, as I find the feed is less prone to sticking or being out of sync, but if you want a shout-out, Facebook is the way to go. I think it's Ian's preference and that's the camera he tends to address when he is talking.

The classes are suitable for anyone. The choreography isn't too challenging, and you soon get to know the routines - I definitely notice when Ian goes wrong changes something. Like with any fitness class, they are as challenging or easy as you make them, depending on how much effort you put in. My favourites are the quickstep for cardio and the paso for a bit of upper body toning. They last about 35 mins or so and feature a range of routines, which change depending on what Ian fancies teaching.

I can't express how grateful I am to Ian for giving up his time to go online and present these classes. I really appreciate how dedicated he has been to something he gets no real reward for. THANK YOU, IAN!!

HRVY Tests Positive For Covid-19

Harvey has confirmed that he has tested positive for Covid-19, and is now in isolation for the next 10 days.

hi, wasn’t gonna worry anyone and say anything but now the story’s out, i have coronavirus, I’m all good, no symptoms, just isolating for the next 10 days. already super bored so prepare yourselves for my Tik toks

— hrvy (@HRVY) October 1, 2020

The launch show will be recorded on 12th October, 10 days away, so Harvey might just make it out of quarantine in time, presuming his health is not impacted by the virus.

I was actually quite shocked by this news. I guess it's a bit disappointing. I really hoped that those on the show would take care to keep everyone else safe. The celebrities are not in rehearsals, but they have been for costume fittings and photo shoots this week. It's so important to protect others.

Let's just hope no-one else is affected and the whole show goes ahead without a hitch.